I had an interesting experience last Saturday. I was taking some new linens to my Mom who lives in an assisted living building. As I climbed the stairs to her apartment I saw that the agenda for the day was The Winter Dance and I was just in time for it. Now usually these affairs consist of punch and cookies while someone in a polyester suit, maybe even a plaid polyester suit, plays the accordion. Not this time. I came back downstairs and entered the dining hall where about fifty seniors and assorted caregivers were assembled and there were festive balloons and food and, wonder of wonders, the hottest little trio playing in the corner! There was a keyboard, drums and a bass. The keyboard player and the bass player had bluesy voices and did numbers ranging from rocked out oldies to a number by Prince. I’m telling you, they were hot. So I sidled on in and sat by my Mom who kept asking me, “Don’t you wish you lived here?”. To tell you the truth although I don’t really want to live there….yet… I had the best time I’ve had in quite a while. I tapped my toes and sang along and really wanted to dance, but I’m too shy.

But the oldsters weren’t shy that day.  They just couldn’t sit still and watch like they usually do. They got up one by one and they danced. Some danced with the caregivers who were good sports and some found partners. Mr. Whipple, who always wears a suit and who used to play a mean bass fiddle, grabbed a young gal and when she wanted to beebop around him, he pulled her in close. Another couple consisted of a woman on oxygen and her partner who gallantly held her canister for her while they danced. There was whooping and hollering and clapping as each couple shook a leg or two. It all goes to show that there’s still fire in the furnace when the motivation is great enough. The motivation WAS great enough on Saturday- it was Hot Stuff at the Home!